Marty and Gloria in Rome Spring 2013
Teaching and training through the winter months has continued. We have been going through the Pilgrims Progress with material provided by Chapel Library while finishing the gospel of Mark and the life of Jesus. In recent months we have begun to a series on what is the church and the Holy Spirit. (Photo below)
Helping us on occasion has been Doug and Naomi Ord, who both arrived in October 2012 as Alliance missionaries from the US, after 30 years of service in Colombia. They have settled in our town of Monterotondo and are serving us and other leaders around Italy (photo above).
MARTY AND GLORIA
SPRING 2013
In September 2012, we welcomed Christian, a young man who just arrived from Peru to join his mother who has worked in Rome for the last decade. He had already completed two and a half years at an Alliance Bible school in Peru. During his time with us, God further confirmed his call into missions. He became quite involved with us in the short time he was here. It became clear that he should return to Peru to complete his Bible studies. It was hard to see him leave, but knew it was the right time for him to grow further into the call of God upon his life. We need young men like him to help us with many of the youth we interact with. Christian and his brother provide a common story of mothers separated from their children and then are able to finally to bring them to reunite when they have their own place to live rather than living with the families they work for. We surely would like to see him again and look forward to see how God will guide him in the future as he has sensed a call to missions.
We had an Italian Pastor Leonardo De Chirico scheduled to speak for our monthly missions Sunday and after the service we scheduled a Q & A where members could ask questions on the Roman Catholic Church, the new Pope Francis and a number of issues were addressed from a scriptural perspective. It was a very helpful in understanding the Italy of today.
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MARTY AND GLORIA
SPRING 2013
Maximilliano w/ Mom, Grandma and Cynthia
Over the last year, it has been a joy to teach Maximilliano, who made a profession of faith when we first arrived through the prayers of a family from Peru. The father of the Peruvian family Feliciano, returned to Peru and is also studying with the Alliance Bible school and we would like to see him return to help us. Please join us in prayer for Feliciano to return. In April 2012 Maximiliano went to work for an Italian merchant ship and spent 6 months around Europe, Brazil and West Africa. His faith was tried and tested and he returned to us stronger and with more knowledge in his faith. He has continued to join us and serve in our Sunday services reading scripture in Italian. Over the last months we have been studying together to prepare for baptism. We are planning a joint baptism with our friends from Breccia di Roma church on April 6th in our next newsletter will have photos for you of the Baptism. Maximilliano will return to sea by the end of April, please join us in prayer for the months Maximiliano will be at sea after his baptism. Many have a very pretty image of Italy...with big families, great food and the easy life. However... The day of big families in Italy are long gone. A report revealed that 53.4% of Italian families have no children, 21.9% of households have one child and 19% have two. The countrys rock-bottom fertility rate of 1.31 children born per woman has resulted in a largely childless and aging nation. As well, sadness is rampant as 9.6 million Italians, or 16% of the population, live below the poverty line (less than 600 euros a month or $762), the national statistics bureau says. Italians also pay 45-55% of their income to taxes. Even with a steady-paying job when payday comes, theres little to go around as Italians pay half their income to taxes before their paycheck even arrives. Add to this... The ridiculous cost of government services (500 euros to get a drivers license, Martys challenge at the moment) The time it takes to get things done (2 months to get an insurance check for a car accident, etc.) The difficulty in getting a job (the rate hit a 13-year high of 10.8%, with 2.8 million Italians out of work...in the south, the rate is 50% unemployment...in 2012, a total of over 9,000 Italian businesses closed their doors...and Italians have sufficient cause to be depressed. The economic downturn has shaken Italy for the last five years, sweeping away the foundations of oncesturdy lives, with suicides in Italy motivated by economic difficulties increasing 52 percent in 2012. In Italy, there are an estimated 800 satanic cults operating, with more than 600,000 followers ( in comparison, theres only an estimated 660,000 Evangelical Christians in all of Italy!). Authorities within the Roman Catholic Church have admitted that the Italian Catholic population is basically pagan.
MARTY AND GLORIA Gian Luca works with his father in their shop selling cigarettes, lottery tickets and bus tickets etc. He is a kind young man who loves to practice his English. He has asked us some very deep questions. We see God working in him.!
SPRING 2013
In the last month, after advertising ! we have begun to gather a number of students who already speak or have studied English and would like to improve or prepare for further studies. This is providing us with a more direct contact with those living around our meeting place. Meet Romina (left) and Leticia (right). Romina secret is her father is an English teacher. Leticia is in the process of applying for doctoral studies in the UK.
At an outreach event, Gloria making American Pancakes, which for many if not all was their first time eating pancakes.
Thursdays Bible studies and prayer the winter months are cold in our meeting place and we need space heaters and to bundle up. The schedule of those who attend is limited to Thursday and Saturday.
The 2nd generation of immigrants We constantly need prayer on how to challenge, encourage them and see gospel reality bloom in their life!
MARTY AND GLORIA
SPRING 2013
Meet Ruth (Peru) and Narvid (Pakistan) with their daughter Kinza (Italia) they are visiting us at church every Sunday except Narvid, he is Muslim and we love him through Christ and enjoy spending time with the family. Please pray for Narvids salvation.
Over the last year we have had faithful attendance from Atagracia and Dario with their eldest daughter Mildred. Mildred has had some health problems as well as Dario who with his bride of 50 years are faithful believers from the Dominican Republic and arrived in Italy to be close to their 4 daughters, 3 who are married with Italians (photo below).
MARTY AND GLORIA
SPRING 2013
At the end of February, we celebrated 25 years of marriage! It couldnt be celebrated at the right place and country, Peru. But we had lots of Peruvians to celebrate with!
Prayer:
Health and protection Italian language learning (Marty & Gloria) and Martys classes @ Pontifical University - Italian Drivers license Church members growth Gabi & Elliot Gaby will have nose and tonsil surgery on March 28th
Praise:
For teams and help in ministry Renewing our residence permit For each of you that contributed for a car- thank you for GIVING !!! Continued funding for our work
For Support: (Tax deductible) Checks can be sent to Orangewood Church or:
PO Box 120963 Clermont, FL 34712 - 0963 Tel. 352-243-2030 Banzhaf/Italy project in the memo
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